Wednesday 9 January 2019

Reuse Resolutions

It's 2019 - have you made a list of resolutions for the new year? If you have, great job! If you're still looking for ideas about how you can resolve to live with less waste this year we're happy to help. Check out this list of Reuse Resolutions for inspiration:

1. Reduce Food Waste
  • Try growing your own food. There are a multitude of ways that you can grow food from food scraps such as green onions, potatoes, celery, lettuce, the list goes on!
  • Meal plan so you buy only what you need.
  • Buy in bulk and create individual servings at home with reusable containers.
  • Create a "use me first" shelf or box in your fridge or pantry.
  • If you have an unopened item you know you won't consume before it will expire, donate it to a local food bank or charity.

2. Choose Reusable
  • Try to find a reusable option for the single-use plastic item you use the most. This could be a reusable coffee mug, reusable shopping bag, cloth produce bags, steel straws, reusable paper towels, etc.
  • Create an emergency reusable kit to keep in your car or bag in the event you forgot your reusable item at home. Add a reusable cup, food container, water bottle, shopping bag and cutlery, and you'll be ready for most situations!
3. Try a No-Buy Week
  • For one week commit to buying nothing (other than food).
  • If one week was easy, try and increase it to 2 weeks.
  • Before you make a purchase, ask yourself first if you could borrow or buy this item secondhand?
4. Make a Waste Log
  • Write down all the items you put into the trash and see if there are any "repeat offenders" for one week. From there try and find a reusable or recyclable alternative for the most common items you throw away.
5. Reduce Energy Consumption
  • Replace burnt out incandescent light bulbs with LED light bulbs to reduce energy consumption. You will also need to replace bulbs less often, which means less waste.
    • Don't forget to bring your old light bulbs to your nearest Eco Station.
  • Need a new thermostat? Look into "smart" thermostats that lower energy usage by learning your habits and saving you energy and money when no one is home.
  • Unplug electronics that aren’t in use or use a power bar to turn off items when not in use. Many appliances use energy to power appliance features such as display lights.

6. Think about adding a 4th R to your waste hierarchy: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

  • Say no to single use plastics
  • Refuse junk mail in your mailbox
  • Opt out of unwanted mail and mailing lists

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